Life-buoy or life-preserver.



0. B. FELLAND.

LIFE BUOY 0R LIFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILE'D FEB. 2. 1915.

1,1Q8Q5fi8, Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

0. B. FELLAND.

LIFE BUOY UR LIFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2 1915.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

OLAUS 1B.- FELLAND, or EDMONTON, ALBERTA, cnrrnna.

LIFE-BUOY 0R LIFE-PRESERVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

Application filed February 2, 1915. Serial No; 5,806.

or Life-Preservers; and I do hereby-declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to improvements in life preservers or life buoys.The principal object of the present invention is to provide a device ofthis character into which a person can inclose himself and safely escapefrom a sinking vessel.-

Another object of the invention is to provide a life preserver which canbe folded into a small compass for storing at a convenient point on avessel, for use in an emergenAcy.

inclosed therein. to maintain the equilibrium of the device, and also topropel the device through the water.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character whichwill permit the person to walk so that-he may readily climb a ladder tocast himself into the water or to board a vessel.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a lifepreserver made in accordance with my. invention. Fig. 2 is a L frontelevation of thesame partly broken away. Fig. 3 is a top plan view ofthe same, partly broken away. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectionalview through the device taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is ahorizontal sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 isanenlarged detail view of a ortion of the frame of the device showing tefolding joints" thereof.

Referring particularly-to the accompanyin drawing, 10 represents awaterproof enveIop which is cylindrical in shape and has the flat bottom11, and the arched or domeshaped top 12. Within the upper and lower endsof the envelop-are the rings 13 and 14 respectively, which holdthe'envelop in its further object is to provide a. device of thischaracter which will permit a person cylindrical shape. These rings areconnected by the vertical bars 15, each of which is provided with theupper and lower break jo nts 16 and 17 and the intermediate break o nts18. The upper and lower of the olnts are formed to breakoutwardly, whilethe intermediate joints are formed to break inwardly. Pivotally securedto the upper portion of each of the bars 15, above the upper joint isadepending member 19, the lower end of which is turned inwardly aroundthebar below the lower joint when the device is in full extended position.A

' loose ring 20 is disposed between the bars 15 'the frame to be foldedby means ofv the joints, and'to be moved to the inturned ends of thesaid pivoted members to hold the frame rigid and against the possibilityof folding up.

Inthe lower end of the envelop is a cane or ratan bottom member 21having the before-mentioned ring 14 forming a part there'- of, which isdetachably secured to the sides of the envelop. On this bottom theperson is permitted to stand. This bottom 21 protects the flexiblebottom of the envelo 1 In the bottom of the envelop are ormed a pair ofopenings 22, and secured around these openings, and depending therefrom,

are the leg envelops 23, while extending from the sides of the body ofthe envelop are sleeve members 24 for the arms of the occupant of thelife preserver. The lower ends ofthe leg envelops areclosed and formedto' fit the feet of the wearer, said lower ends -.being provided withsole members 25 on which the person stands. The outer ends of the sleeveportions are closed by and have secured thereto, the glove members 26for the reception of the hands of the person. A

plurality of arched ribs 27 are'pivotally se- I cured to the upper ring13 and are arranged to be moved upwardly -to distend the top of theenvelop. The top of the envelop is in the form of a bag mouth, and isadapted to be closed by the metal fastener 28. e v

In using the device, assuming that the same is collapsed, and the topopen, the person steps onto. the bottom member 21 and puts his feetthrough the leg openin after which he draws the envelop upwar 1y untilhe is entirely inclosed within the same. The

mouth of the envelop can then be closed from either the inside orthe'outside. when the.

envelop is drawn upwardly the bars are straightened out, the jointscoming together,

as will be clearly understood from the drawing. Thering will then slipdown of its own weight till it rests on the inturned ends of the pivotedmembers 19. This holds the frame rigid and prevents the same fromfolding.

Around the exterior of the envelop, at a point slightly below the archedtop, is secured an inflatable tube 29, which may be inflated from theinside of the life reserver with a hand pump through the nipple 30. Ifdesired, this tube may be supplemented by any other buoyant ring orbody, such as cork or the like. Extending through theenvelop are thetubes 31 and 32, each having a perforated ball 33 on the outer end, anda rubber bulb33" on the inner end. At the lower end of the bulb isconnected a funnel 34:. These devices are used in the manner of pumps,one of them being designed to exhaust the foul air from. the envelop,while the other is for the purpose of drawing in fresh air. In the frontof the envelop is a glass port hole or lookout 35.

A signal flag 36 is provided so that the life preserver or buoy may beseen from a distance, and the fact that a person is within, recognized.

What is claimed is:

A life preserving buoy comprising a waterproof envelop for the receptionof the body of a person, a collapsible frame secured within the envelop,means for securing one end of the envelop when a person is within, aninflatable tube carried outwardly of the envelop, means for exhaustingand refreshing the air of the interior of the envelop,

leg envelops depending from the main body of the envelop, and sleeve andglove members carried by the envelop for the reception of the arms andhands of the occupant.

In testimony whereof, I 'affix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses. OLAUS B. FELLAND. Witnesses:

C. G. Pinon, HATTIE M. BED.

